Woman shot at Route 91 Festival files lawsuit against MGM Resorts and more

A lawsuit filed by a survivor of the mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip claims “negligence” and systematic failures allowed the shooter the carry out his deadly plot uninhibited.

A California woman filed the suit after she was shot and wounded at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Oct. 1. The victim’s family insists the suit is not about the money but about forcing meaningful change and saving future lives.

Paige Gasper, 21, is a hardworking college student from Wheatland, Calif., who loves country music. She was shot by a gunman perched on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay. The bullet shattered her ribs and pierced her liver.

Gasper's mother Heather Selken feared the worst when she got word of the mass shooting.

“She’s my only child – and not knowing if that was it – it was a difficult situation. Even seeing her gave me relief that she was going to live but see the suffering that she has gone through breaks any parent’s heart,” said Selken. “It’s hard knowing there are those that have lost theirs.”

The lawsuit targets MGM Resorts, along with festival organizers and the estate of the shooter, Stephen Paddock. It also names the manufacturer of the bump stock device which allowed the gunman to fire off hundreds of rounds near the speed of a fully automatic firearm.

“With other examples that have taught us there are dangers in the world – because of those dangers, we need to have proper safety precautions in effect when we have large gathers of people,” said attorney Nathan Morris.

The suit also claims there were not enough exits at the concert venue, which slowed the evacuation.

“We look long term and we know that down the road we can make some change for things to be put in place for that ... so really, that's what Paige wants out of this ... is the change of things in an environment where we can feel safe, we can come to Vegas, we can go to New York, we can go to sporting events ... and not worry 'is our security going to protect us or fail us?'” said Selken.

Gasper has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

“Vegas is not the problem, it’s what happened in Vegas that was the problem,” said Selken.

“The tragic incident that took place on October 1st was a meticulously planned, evil senseless act. As our company and city work through the healing process, our primary focus and concern is taking actions to support the victims and their families, our guests and employees and cooperating with law enforcement. We are grateful for all who came to the victims’ aid that evening, including our employees, first responders, the police and citizens who acted in countless ways to assist. Out of respect for the victims we are not going to try this case in the public domain and we will give our response through the appropriate legal channels.”